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Philly Confidential

The trouble all started about half past midnight on a sleepy Hunting Park street when two cops laid eyes on a stolen car.

Highway Patrol Officers Andy Chan and George Scott followed the stolen car, a white Toyota Yaris, as it peeled off from Pike Street near 13th last Wednesday and headed towards Broad.

Montana Bell

The cops caught up with the Toyota and turned on their flashing domelights. Chan got out of the cruiser, drew his handgun and opened the door of the Toyota. He told the driver, Montana Bell, to get out of the stolen car, said Highway Patrol Capt. Michael Cochrane.

And then everything went to hell.

Bell – who, unbeknownst to the cops was wanted for murder -- refused to get out the car. He screeched the car in reverse, and the open driver’s door knocked Chan to the ground, Cochrane said.

The 20-year-old smashed into the cruiser – Scott was still inside the cop car – hopped a curb, struck a pole, and then tried to drive towards Chan, who had suffered cuts and bruises, Cochrane said.

Scott prevented Bell from striking Chan by ramming the cruiser into the front of the Toyota, Cochrane said.

Bell sped from the scene but crashed again on Luzerne Street near Rising Sun Avenue. He was arrested after a brief foot chase, Cochrane said.

Bell, of Adams Avenue near Orthodox Street, was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and fleeing police. He was also charged with the July 11 murder of Kimberly Davis, 46, who was shot several times in the head on Patton Street near Allegheny Avenue.